Richard Valentine Nicholas Roussopoulos

Feb. 14, 1927 — Feb. 12, 2009

Richard Valentine Nicholas Roussopoulos, 82, of Nevis, MN formerly of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at his home in Crow Wing Lake Township with his loved ones at his side.

Richard was born on Feb. 14, 1927 in St. Paul, MN to Nicholas and Clara (Boelke) Roussopoulos. It was in St. Paul that he attended the Douglas Elementary School through the eighth grade. He went on to attend the Humboldt High School. In 1945, Richard joined the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of WWII as a Seaman 1st Class. His military service continued into the Korean War as well. Following Richard’s honorable discharge, he returned to St. Paul where he began a 42 year career as a firefighter with the St. Paul Fire Department.

On May 11, 1953, Richard was united in marriage to Lillian Loraine Schlirf in St. Paul. This union was blessed with four children: Carol, Nancy, Robert and Lois. Over his years with the fire department, Richard experienced many harrowing experiences fighting many large blazes. Due to suffering a heart attack while on the job in 1989, Richard was forced into retirement. He had a keen interest in military history; especially the Civil War. He was a buff and collector of all things military. He was a member of the Military Vehicle Collectors Club and the National Riffle Association. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his daughter, Carol. In 1995, Richard and Lillian sold their St. Paul home and moved to a country home in Crow Wing Lake Township where he has resided right up to the current time.

Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lillian; three daughters, Carol Roussopoulos of Nevis, Nancy Roussopoulos of St. Paul and Loois (Christopher) Hebert of Manteca; his son, Robert (Mary) Roussopoulos of Grasston, MN; five grandsons, Jefferson Roussopoulos of Akeley, MN, Michael Glinnon and Steven Glinnon of Nevis, Nicholas Roussopoulos of Grasston and Richard Hebert of Manteca; one great-grandson Colton Bruce Glinnon; his brother, Eugene (Zoe Ann) Roussopoulos of Lake City, MN; sister-in-law, Margie Roussopoulos of Santa Cruz; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Alan Crawford and Harold Roussopoulos.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Ken Nyhusmoen officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Casketbearers were Richard’s son, Robert Roussopoulos and his grandsons, Michael Glinnon, Steven Glinnon and Nicholas Roussopoulos. The Star of The North Marine Corp League provided military honors. Ray Vaadeland played Taps. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN.